[Strawbale] Retrofitting & Maritime Canadian Winters

[Andrew Hawkins]

There is a single storey, stick framed building that I am considering 
purchasing here in New Brunswick, Canada. The building is rectangular in 
shape with a standard roofline, nothing too exciting or out of the ordinary.

I would like to retrofit the building with straw bales to add insulation 
and beauty to rather tired looking structure. I would also like to add a 
gambrel (barn shaped) roof to give me a second storey. While large 
overhangs would not be a problem on 3 sides of the building, the front 
edge isd fairly close to the street so this may be an issue.

I am considering cladding the plastered straw bale walls with wavy edged 
wood siding to offer protection from rain and snow either all round or 
on this exposed wall.

Does anyone have experience of this or better solution. Also, I am 
finding information on retrofits a little scarce so any recommendations 
on that front would be appreciated too.